West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
2/1/10 9:23 AM
Friday, January 29, 2010
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Tropical Fish
dump prompts
outrage
More than 600 fish found
dumped at harbor
by Carolyn Lucas
West Hawaii Today
[email protected]
Friday, January 29, 2010 8:54 AM
HST
Several Hawaii residents,
environmentalists and
commercial tropical fish
collectors are outraged over
the dumping of 610 fish,
discovered this past weekend
in a trash bin at Honokohau
Small Boat Harbor.
Tipped off by a concerned
fisherman, employees from the
state Division of Aquatic
Resources' Kailua-Kona office
went diving in a Dumpster
near a launch ramp Monday.
They retrieved two bags of
stinky dead fish, which were
counted and examined.
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Employees from the state Division of Aquatic
Resources' Kailua-Kona office count and examine
610 dead fish found Monday in two bags left in a
trash bin at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Of
these fish, 551 were yellow tang -- a species that
represents more than 80 percent of the aquarium
catch in West Hawaii waters. BELOW: These
juvenile fourspot butterflyfish collected from the
Kona Coast were among the 610 fish found in the
bags over the weekend at Honokohau Small Boat
Harbor. - Teri Leicher, Jack's Diving Locker |
Special To West Hawaii Today
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Of the 610 fish, 551 were
yellow tang -- a species that
represents more than 80
percent of the aquarium catch
in West Hawaii waters. The
remaining 59 fish comprised
six other species, including
butterflyfish and surgeonfish.
All the dumped fish had no
outward signs of illness or
injury, said Bill Walsh, state aquatic biologist.
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Nearly half of the yellow tang were recruits, very small individuals newly settled
on the reef. Recruits usually start settling in summer months and by December
are larger in size, which leads the Division of Aquatic Resources to believe
these yellow tangs were not collected recently. Still the state agency doesn't
know who is responsible or exactly why the fish were dumped. Perhaps, a
tropical fish collector collected them all at once, had a holding tank failure and
disposed of the fish at the same time. Maybe an aquarium system failed or
became contaminated, leading a wholesaler to store sick individuals in a freezer
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
Hawaii.com
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and only recently decide to dispose of the fish, Walsh said.
While not illegal, many Big Island and Oahu residents who called West Hawaii
Today deemed the act a travesty or shame Thursday. They repeatedly said the
magnitude of the fish killed was offensive and repugnant. Some said the license
of the person responsible should be taken away because he or she had
destroyed reef life so indiscriminately and mindlessly wasted fish. Others
demanded Big Island tropical fish collectors and exporters develop and enforce
a stringent Code of Conduct, which they must adhere to operate.
"For many, this was the tip of the thing lurking just under the surface. Locally,
there have been concerns about the aquarium industry," Walsh said. "This
includes issues with inconsistent, poor and absent reporting by some collectors
and wholesalers. There's also the renegade element or lack of responsibility
from a number of collectors who are systematically poaching fish in marine
protected areas. ... Many people feel we are granting (tropical fish collectors
and exporters) a tremendous privilege by allowing
them to make hundreds of thousands of dollars on our reefs and we're getting
nothing in return."
Ron Tubbs, of R.T. Distributors, said the local tropical fish collectors he has
conversed with are "extremely upset" by the dumped fish and hope this kind of
loss never happens again.
"This is an isolated incident
due to some kind of mistake
that rarely happens," he said.
"Mechanical pumps fail, big
surf makes for difficult and
dangerous catch returns, live
wells on boats can
malfunction, and pipes leak,
along with other malfunctions,
which could have possibly
been the cause of this huge
loss. Disease and catch
handling were probably not at
error in this case as they
usually result in fewer dead
fish when they occur."
Stock Index
While he didn't know who was
at fault, Tubbs said the Hawaii
Tropical Fish Association and
others are trying to find those
responsible. He added the
local tropical fish collectors
have an idea to possible
culprits as very few can catch
fish in these numbers.
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These Juvenile Fourspot Butterflyfish Collected
From The Kona Coast Were Among The 610 Fish
More from Yahoo! Finance
Found In The Bags Over The Weekend At
Y! Finance Toolbar:
Get stock quotes from anywhere Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. - Cynthia Hankins|
Special To West Hawaii Today
on the web
"I am positive the huge loss of
fish was not intentional. Fish
collectors love the ocean and
the fish. This is why we all got
into the fish business," Tubbs
said. "We work very hard to
keep all fish alive and very
healthy. Nearly all fish
collected arrive to the hobbyist
alive. If care is not taken,
collectors do not get paid."
Randy Fernley, owner of Coral Fish Hawaii on Oahu and a Hawaii Tropical Fish
Association executive member, has been collecting fish from the coastal waters
of Hawaii for more than 25 years. He said his fellow association members
follow a Code of Conduct. Over the past few years, he claimed a fair amount of
progress had been made in regards to clearing up misinformation and
addressing concerns about aquarium fish collecting. But this dumping,
according to him, hinders the progress and hurts everyone in the industry.
"Whoever did this doesn't deserve to be in business," he said. "We understand
the shock and dismay. Something needs to be done and the association will do
everything it can to help resolve this."
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David Dart, a West Hawaii
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
Fisheries Council
subcommittee member and
tropical fish collector, said this
"act of stupidity" is not
condoned by the aquarium
fishery. He claimed this
"unusual" incident further
proves that a limited entry
management program for
tropical fish collection in West
Hawaii waters is needed. He
said such a program would
ensure that those participating
in the industry have a high
level of skill and experience,
as well as are compliant with
the law.
2/1/10 9:23 AM
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More than 600 dead fish were discovered this
weekend in two bags placed in a Dumpster near a
launch ramp at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.
The state Division of Aquatic Resources retrieved
the fish, which were counted and examined. Division Of Aquatic Resources Special To West
Hawaii Today
In September 2008, the West
Hawaii Fisheries Council
approved a limited entry proposal, devised by its subcommittee and aquarium
fish collectors. The proposed rule required those engaging in commercial
collecting of live marine animals for sale in the aquarium trade to have a West
Hawaii limited entry aquarium license in addition to a $50 commercial marine
license and aquarium endorsement. Besides ensuring a level of professionalism
and skill, it strove to manage the industry by capping fishing on the reefs,
enhancing the economic value of the reefs and their marine life, and providing
an economic incentive to fishers to promote good stewardship of the reefs,
Walsh said.
The proposal was transmitted to the state Department of Land and Natural
Resources in Honolulu. Chairwoman Laura Thielen felt the state agency did not
have the statutory authority for a limited entry fishery and therefore could not
support any rule that proposes it. The proposal is now being reviewed by the
state Attorney General's Office, Walsh said.
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There are 22 comment(s) comments to this story.
frannysf wrote on Jan 31, 2010 8:16 PM:
" This is just horrible. Aquarium fish gathering on reefs should be banned.
Some many of those fish die in transport or poorly maintained tanks. More
money for Hawaii if they remain in the reefs for tourists (and locals!) to see
and enjoy. Promote diving, snorkeling, ecoadventures.
Very sad waste of beautiful creatures. "
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
2/1/10 9:23 AM
Report Abuse
O wrote on Jan 31, 2010 3:05 PM:
" A stiff fine should be in order for an incident like this, perhaps $100 per fish.
I could have eaten some of that fish! I would use forensics to trace the bags
for evidence, if possible. "
Report Abuse
O wrote on Jan 31, 2010 8:36 AM:
" A stiff fine should be in order for an incident like this, perhaps $100 per fish.
I could have eaten some of that fish! I would use forensics to trace the bags
for evidence, if possible. "
Report Abuse
Lysander wrote on Jan 30, 2010 11:19 PM:
" Excellent comments! Keep up the momentum and contact DAR, DLNR and
the West Hawaii Fisheries Council with adamant comments. You can have an
impact! Do not be lulled into complacency by comments like those of Pahiki
"If we make to much fuss they might take away our right to kill and abuse
other resources." Ignorance is bliss. Keep fighting or there will soon me
nothing left to fight for! "
Report Abuse
kunakalo wrote on Jan 30, 2010 8:14 PM:
" Know why the Kohala coast is also called the "Gold Coast'? No, not
because of the rich people's resorts.
Once its rocky shore was lined with walls of Yellow Tang. So many millions
were there that people coined this term. Now that's no more.
Ask the long time diving operators how rare certain species get: Some of
those fish can't find mates anymore. "
Report Abuse
pahiki wrote on Jan 30, 2010 8:01 PM:
" one guy messed up. what all you guys perfect? As for stopping all the
collections, these fish are not endangered they are just fish. What next you
want to stop exporting flowers, cattle, fruits. As for NELHA they have been
sucking on the public money pipe for way to long now you want them to suck
more. One guy messed up bad, find him kick his butt and move on. "
Report Abuse
flappybird wrote on Jan 30, 2010 3:54 PM:
" Thanks for telling it like it is, Koaman. It should be illegal to collect tropical
fish so some loser can look at them, as if they were a TV screen. It is sad and
pathetic. "
Report Abuse
Glenn1951 wrote on Jan 30, 2010 11:11 AM:
" ktown you might study but you haven't learned. Big difference. "
Report Abuse
Local12 wrote on Jan 30, 2010 11:02 AM:
" Sen. Green, you hear any of this?
NELHA has plenty of available land, pumped seawater and local expertise
(since there are already fish farmers there).
Due to the lack of responsible business practices of the tropical fish
harvestors, time to ban it, replace with land-based farm raised fish (and the
state will reap extra $ to boot). "
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
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Report Abuse
koaman wrote on Jan 30, 2010 9:53 AM:
" Why all the outrage for finding the fish in the dumpster now? That's where
all the tropical fish taken from our waters and shipped to the mainland end up
anyway. The only difference is some fish get to spend a couple years in a
tank before they die. Don't people realize that all fish taken by these " Reef
Rapers" have a 100% mortality rate? People would be shocked if they knew
how many tens of thousands of tropicals are taken from our waters each
month. It's time to ban all commercial tropical fish collecting. "
Report Abuse
ktownrider wrote on Jan 30, 2010 9:47 AM:
" i know nothing of these issues? Sunshine i study these issues continuously
and see the problems face to face, now i don't know if you've ever farmed
bluefin or not, obviously you have, but there are problems with the fish getting
sick even in the larger pens. You might be reading something on the internet
or some heresay from a buddy, but until you see some face to face i'd like
you to sit down and keep believing everything you hear :) Also, they'll never
completely ban tropping, any complaint and the politicians go running away. "
Report Abuse
Glenn1951 wrote on Jan 30, 2010 6:49 AM:
" Licencing is not a solution to these problems. As Local12 said a total ban on
taking aquarium fish in the wild is the solution. These fish can be raised in
tanks and should be.
As for ktown's rant about sport and commercial fishing he clearly knows
nothing about the issue or the problems. As for farm raised pelagics he is
worst than ignorant, he is misinformed. "
Report Abuse
jennynell wrote on Jan 30, 2010 3:42 AM:
" I can not believe this is happening. Why doesnt hawaii have any strict laws
against this? too who ever is responsible for this, you might not see it now but
when you least expect it it will come, your days of enjoyment will soon be
filled with karma.Ba$tards "
Report Abuse
ktownrider wrote on Jan 29, 2010 6:22 PM:
" in response to paradise96720 about the farm raising fish. the pelagic
species raised in farms have a serious problem with disease, if this disease
goes to the wild population without the antibiotics put in the food for farm fish,
the escapees(which there always are, seriously) will get the other schools
sick. Have you ever put wild salmon next to farm salmon and eaten them
both? YEEECCCHHH.. Besides that Dolphin in hawaii are not hunted for any
dishes whatsoever, no matter what you believe. Charterboats get more
money in tips when they see them. Take it from experience. :) "
Report Abuse
Stop! wrote on Jan 29, 2010 6:12 PM:
" The aquarium collectors know who did this and want to prove it, so they can
burn him at the stake to absolve their sins. Aquarium collecting is the same
as killing the golden goose to get at the eggs inside. It shouldn't be regulated.
It should stop! These roughshod cowboys cry outrage, so they can sacrifice a
scapegoat and keep the reefs EMPTY the CORRECT way. They want more
money at our expense. "
Report Abuse
kunakalo wrote on Jan 29, 2010 4:15 PM:
" Across from Chevron Gas in Kealakekua is an ornamental fish dealer. Many
people seem to bring their 'catch' there. They may do everything by the book,
but they probably know who the 'players' are. Who are the other buyers?
That's the bottle neck investigators have to look at. In the self interest of
ornamental fish dealers to avoid restrictions, they need to investigate
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
2/1/10 9:23 AM
themselves and police!
People try to make ends meet and don't know how to do it professionally.
Bad things like this will happen increasingly when left by itself. "
Report Abuse
forthefishes wrote on Jan 29, 2010 4:12 PM:
" Don't be fooled by the aquarium trades so-called "outrage": in 2006 they
reported that 16,214 died before being sold and in 2007 it was 20,340. The
largest U.S. mainland wholesaler reported that the DOA rates of many Hawaii
collector's fishes at his facility are above the industry norm of 5%, so you're
looking at an additional 20,000+ dead at LAX after their flight to their new
home. No aquarium hobbyist needs a reef fish more than our reefs and our
people do.
Help end aquarium collecting in Hawaii now! Go to: FortheFishes.org "
Report Abuse
paradise96720 wrote on Jan 29, 2010 3:01 PM:
" I agree. These people need to be reprimanded and that stricter rules should
be applied. People are getting greedy and fishing anything out there for $$$.
The dolphins are being hunted for new dishes, and now wasting the yellow
tangs! The world should ban fishing all together!
No aquarium fish catching, and no edible fish catching!
Instead go with growing and raising both. That way we save our sea life for
recreational use and for future generations to enjoy. If we don't protect the
seaworld now, there won't be one for the future.
GO GREEN PEACE! "
Report Abuse
ktownrider wrote on Jan 29, 2010 2:06 PM:
" These fish are worth more alive then they are dead.. of the millions of
tourists that visit the state each year, they look at these fish when they're alive
and create more revenue, than some kid picking it up at the local pet store for
20$ for his birthday. How about planting some corn? "
Report Abuse
ktownrider wrote on Jan 29, 2010 2:03 PM:
" how about getting rid of the commerical sale of billfish
(marlin/spearfish/swordfish/sailfish). Limit the commerical sale of pelagic
species and bottom species better. Create sportfishing liscences (no sale
whatsoever). And raise the tropical liscences to an outrageous # and only
allow a certain amount of permits distributed/year or month even. If anyone
says, "That's all i can do" then they're lazy because there's a lot more you can
do, but it's all they want to do.
Sportfishing liscence 50$/yr
Commerical Liscence 2500$ a year per/Person/Vessel (incl. bottomfish)
Tropical Collection liscence: 3000$/mo/person "
Report Abuse
Legend wrote on Jan 29, 2010 11:14 AM:
" This is pathetic. And local12 is right-- a $50 license isn't going to regulate
anything. Whoever did this should be prosecuted-- but then I guess there are
no laws against decimating the yellow tang population on the reefs, eh? I
hope the perpetrator is feeling shame & also fear of being found out. "
Report Abuse
local12 wrote on Jan 29, 2010 10:49 AM:
" "The proposed rule ... aquarium license in addition to a $50 commercial
marine license "
This is disgusting.
These raiders who decimate the reef as they pillage entire stocks of fish, with
a "proposed" fee of $50. Pathetic.
This should be outlawed.
Force them to grow and raise their fish in tanks an NELHA, not raid the reefs.
Sad. "
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/01/29/local/local01.txt
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West Hawaii Today - from archives > Local > Tropical Fish dump prompts outrage
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